In addition to songs that incorporate counting, such as “Five Little Ducks,” “Zoom Zoom Zoom (We’re Going to the Moon,)” and “Five Little Monkeys,” research shows that classical music in particular lights up the areas of the brain responsible for doing math equations. (Comment if you need more song suggestions.)
2- Shapes
From shape sorters for infants and toddlers to naming shapes around the classroom and playground for all ages, take a moment daily to help your students learn geometry! Learning shapes in Spanish and ASL is a plus!
3- Number Recognition
After reading my class a certain book about a demanding rodent who is never satisfied, I set out two sets of laminated cookies I had created: one with numbers, one with corresponding amounts of chocolate chips.
4- Count Everything!
From fingers and toes during diaper changes to students in line or circle time, take opportunities throughout your day to model counting in English, Spanish, ASL and other languages.
5- Sticker Math
Teach addition and subtraction through stickers.
6- Classification
Sort toys by color, size, type, number of legs, etc. to teach counting, simple addition, classification and pattern recognition.
7- Birthday Boards
I am not a fan of calendar as a tool to teach math. After a mentor shared this article from NAEYC, I began exploring more developmentally-appropriate ways to teach concepts such as time passage and numeracy. One of my favorites is birthday boards! In addition to helping children feel valued and celebrate their friends, birthday boards teach sequence, numbers, and passage of time as students count down to their friends’ birthdays and begin to associate their own with numbers and months of the year!
8- Picture Schedules
In addition to teaching math concepts such as sequencing and early time-telling, picture schedules help young children anticipate, learn, and follow daily routines. I have found them especially helpful for preschoolers entering school for the first time, as they provide visual reassurance throughout the day that each time period brings them closer to pickup. The National Pyramid Model for Innovations has visual schedule tips and free printables like the ones to the left here.
Your Turn
Do you have creative ways to add math to your day? Please leave a comment below.
504– 504 plans get their name from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 expressly mandates that public schools make accommodations to ensure that students with disabilities receive the same learning experience as their peers.
ABA– Applied Behavior Analysis is a type of behavior therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders. See BCBA and RBT.)
ASD– Autism Spectrum Disorder refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by difficulties in communication and social interactions.
ASL– American Sign Language
ASQ- 3– Ages and Stages Questionnaire (3rd Edition)
ASQ-SE– Ages and Stages Questionnaire (Social Emotional)
BCBA– Board Certified Behavior Analysts are highly trained specialists in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA.) Most BCBAs have Master’s degrees or higher, though qualifications vary state to state.
BIP (or BSP)- Behavior Intervention Plan or Behavior Support Plan
CBA– Curriculum Based Assessment. See TSG.
CDA– A Child Development Associates is a nationally recognized certificate in early childhood education.
CEU– Continuing Education Unit. See PD
CLASS– Classroom Assessment Scoring System that measures teacher-child interaction in three areas: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support.
CRT– Critical Race Theory is a set of beliefs that examines societal and institutional inequalities stemming from implicit and explicit racism, racial bias, and policies that discriminate against persons of color.
DAP– Developmentally Appropriate Practice
DEI– Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
“Diversity is all people. Equity is equal access to opportunities. Inclusion is a pathway for all Americans. DEI is proof that the American Dream still exists.” Stacey Abrams
ECE– Early Childhood Education
ECERS– Early Childhood Environmental Rating System. See ITERS.
ECSE– Early Childhood Special Education.
EHS– Early Head Start
ELL (or ESL)- English Language Learner or English as a Second Language
EQIT– Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler care is a 48 hour hands-on course relating to the care and brain development of children aged 3 and under.
FBA– Functional Behavior Assessment
GATE– Gifted And Talented Education. See TAG.
HS– Head Start
IDEA– Individuals with Disabilities Act is “a federal law that ensures a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Children and youth (ages 3 through 21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.” See https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
IDEAS– Not to be confused with the above federal law, the IDEAS (Innovate Develop Evaluate Adapt Scale) framework is an outcomes-based assessment of early childhood programs that focuses on development, evaluation, and fast-cycle iteration. See https://ideas.developingchild.harvard.edu
IEMHC or ECMH– Infant/ Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants use an evidence-based relationship model to work with families, teachers, and others who care for young children to help prevent disruptive behaviors and improve quality care and adult-child interactions.
IEP– Individualized Education Plans are developed to ensure children aged 3 to 21 with a documented disability receive special educational, instructional, and other services. See 504 and IFSP.
IFSP– An Individualized Family Support Plan is a document or written plan based on an assessment of a child under the age of 3. It focuses on early intervention and helps connect families and children with specialized services. See ASQ and IEP.
INS– An Infant Nursery Supervisor is a teacher that meets specific training and other criteria related to the care of infants and toddlers.
ITERS– Infant and Toddler Rating System. See ECERS.
KISS– Keep It Simple Sweetie.
LEAP– Learning Experiences and Alternate Program for Preschoolers and Parents is an inclusive model of education in which children with disabilities are included in classrooms with their typically developing peers from day one.
Pyramid Model for Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children. From National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations at the University of South Florida, www.challengingbehavior.org. Reprinted with permission.
MTSS– The Multi-Tiered System of Supports identifies and helps struggling students before they fail. See Pyramid Plus and RTI.
NAEYC– The National Association for the Education of Young Children is a professional organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.” See https://www.naeyc.org
QRIS– Quality Rating Improvement System assesses and scores early learning, school-age, and education environments with the purpose of improving quality.
QTIP– Quit Taking It Personally
RBT– Registered Behavior Technicians implement ABA treatment plans designed by and under direct supervision of a BCBA. Their certification consists of a 40 hour course and passage of an exam.
RTI– Response to Intervention. See MTSS.
SEBS (or SEB)- Social Emotional Behavior Skills
SEL– Social Emotional Learning
SPED– Special Education Department
STEAM (or STEM)- Curriculum focused on Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics.
TAG– Talented And Gifted (See GATE Gifted And Talented Education)
ReThink ECE Consulting 